Pardew's men end four-match losing streak after ref Jones gives them a disputed penalty AND sends the Latics man off with just 13 minutes gone

Group hug! Ba and Newcastle celebrate taking a 1-0 lead (Photo: Serena Taylor)

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Demba Ba conjured the kind of get-out clause that Newcastle wanted, as he released Alan Pardew’s men from the grip of a four-game losing streak.

Striker Ba’s tally of 10 goals this season, coupled with a £7.5million transfer clause, which becomes active again in the January transfer window, has many Geordies fretting over his long-term future on Tyneside.

While a recent offer of a pay-rise has been rejected, the Senegal hitman gave a timely reminder of his value to the Magpies by leading from the front in a comfortable victory that ended the torture of their recent losing form.

Ba converted a penalty won by strike partner and countryman Papiss Cisse before seizing on an error by goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi to keep up his remarkable scoring rate of 26 in 49 starts.

That tally will surely have caught the eye of the likes of Liverpool, although the headline fee rises to a financial commitment nearer £30m when you include agents' fees and a ­four-year deal approaching 90k a week.

But Ba, a leading figure in the St James' Park dressing room, remains committed to Newcastle’s cause as he ­demonstrated here.

Although the fact the Magpies were playing against 10 men for 76 minutes greatly distorted the picture, this was a big improvement on recent form and results - and a ­pressure reliever for Pardew and his players.

At the other end of the wage ­spectrum, youngster Gael ­Bigirimana served notice of his huge talent by netting Toon’s third – a breathtaking left-foot curler into the top corner.

On Ba's future, Pardew said: "He has never looked me in the eye and said he wants to do anything else but stay here. The situation has not changed.

"Demba is a player who loves it here and understands it is a football city. We are trying to do a deal with him and take the clause out. We have not managed to do that yet.

"The clause is always there hanging over us. It makes it difficult for us and Demba and the club. We accept that, it is how football is.

"Demba is an outstanding player for us. He was not the best on the pitch, but he was influential. I am not doubting him.

"He is important in the dressing room and what he brings to the club. I have encouraged him to be more vocal. Ten goals is a nice target for him."

On the poor run, Pardew added: "It has been difficult for the players and staff because we have had so many hits in terms of injuries and game after game.

"Four defeats in a row is not good for any team, but in a football city like this it increases the pressure and we have had to stand tall through it.

"When you are the manager of a club like this you are relieved, but relieved for the staff and players. We have shown we have good unity and we go to the next game.

"It has been difficult for the players and staff because we have had so many hits in terms of injuries, and game after game to prepare for.

"It was nice to get a break with the penalty. At the time, in real motion, I thought it was a penalty. The defender kind of lifted his arm at the end of his action, and came across during a goal chance.

Amid the pressure of a four-game losing streak, a live TV ­audience and creative players out injured, Newcastle couldn’t have asked for a more positive start, taking the lead through Ba’s penalty after 14 minutes.

The Senegalese took his tally to nine for the season with a one-step-run-up spot-kick to bring relief and a note of optimism back to St James’ Park, especially as Maynor Figueroa was sent off for the foul that brought the penalty.

The circumstances of the award were vigorously disputed by Wigan and the visitors’ coaching staff became involved in a shoving match, shouting at Pardew as tempers erupted.

Latics defender Figueroa barged Cisse over 14 yards out and, as the last man, was dismissed by referee Mike Jones.

Jean Beausejour was booked for his own subsequent rant at the officials.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez said: "It was a key decision. He was allowed to challenge for that ball.

"I thought it was very harsh. We will look into an appeal the red.

"It was shoulder to shoulder for me. That is allowed in this game. All he is doing is challenging for the ball.

"It was not a clear pass into the striker's feet. The ball is three yards in front of the players and they have to challenge.

"Maynor is not apologetic [and] he is as honest as you will get - when he makes a rash challenge or is clearly against the law he accepts responsibility.

"He was destroyed at half-time, very upset. He said the ball was there to be won and he went shoulder to shoulder. It changed the dynamics of the game."

A man and a goal down, Wigan struggled to muster a quick response and were two behind by the 21st minute as Ba reached double figures.

Italy full-back Davide Santon, one player who can be happy with his efforts this season, romped forward and unleashed a wicked drive which Al-Habsi was unable to hold.

Ba, lurking eight yards out, mopped up his spillage.

Pardew will have been as impressed with Newcastle’s work out of possession as that when they were dictating play.

A strength of last season’s soaring form was their pressing game, denying opponents time and space.

That has been lacking this term, but here United were hunting aggressively in packs again, squeezing the life out of a Wigan side who had little answer for the perky Geordies.

Pardew said his gut feeling was that the defeat to Stoke last Wednesday brought positive signs of a revival, and his tactic of bolstering the midfield by withdrawing Cisse to the right wing and letting him roam inside when needed, seemed to unburden the striker.

Wigan, who are once again in the relegation mix, have lost three of their last four matches and will have better evenings.

The tone was set from the 21st second when Cheick Tiote let one fly from long range that had Al Habsi at full strength.

Athletic responded with Jordi Gomez setting up Franco Di Santo, whose curler was tipped round the post by Tim Krul after four minutes and their subsequent efforts were less clear cut.

Pardew will have an anxious check on the fitness of Santon, who limped off with a thigh problem, ahead of Thursday’s trip to Bordeaux in the Europa League, and next Monday’s game at Fulham.

Toite was also withdrawn at half-time with knee trouble, potentially adding to a midfield absentee list that already includes Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa.

Bigirama was overjoyed to score his first goal in top-flight football and said: "I was just speechless. I was planning to dance if I scored but I was just like, "Wow, I've scored in the Premier League". It's the first time I've ever scored professionally.

"I just thank God for giving me my opportunity. I'm just speechless."It's hard to come to a new club as a young player but you've got to step up. The manager bought us and trusted us."